Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow :-

Plant breeders aim to create new and improved varieties by crossing different species, and sometimes even genera, to combine desirable traits. To achieve successful crossbreeding, it is crucial to ensure that only the intended pollen grains are used for pollination, while also protecting the stigma from any unintended contamination. This careful selection and controlled pollination process helps breeders create commercially superior varieties with specific traits.

Which of the following is the major approach in crop improvement programme?

Both 1 and 2

The correct answer is option (4)- Both 1 and 2.

The major approach in crop improvement programs often involves both outbreeding devices and artificial hybridization.

Outbreeding devices: These are techniques or mechanisms that prevent self-fertilization and promote crossbreeding between different individuals or populations. Outbreeding devices include various strategies such as dioecy (having separate male and female individuals), self-incompatibility (inability of a plant to self-pollinate), and dichogamy (having male and female reproductive organs mature at different times). These devices encourage outcrossing, which brings genetic diversity into the population.

Artificial hybridization: This involves controlled crossbreeding between different individuals or populations to create hybrids with desired traits. It typically involves the manual transfer of pollen from the male reproductive organs (anthers) of one plant to the female reproductive organ (stigma) of another. By combining the genetic material from different parents, breeders can introduce new traits or improve existing ones in the offspring.

Both these approaches, outbreeding devices and artificial hybridization, play a significant role in crop improvement programs by increasing genetic diversity and facilitating the creation of superior varieties with desired traits